Apr
02
2009
By Anonymous (not verified)
Readings: Gen 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59
When Abram prostrated himself, God continued to speak to him. Gen 17:3
On one occasion, as Pope John Paul II was lying prostrate in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, he was interrupted by a well-intentioned archbishop. "Holy Father" the prelate advised, "you should be sitting in the chair where you would be more comfortable, not lying on the floor." The Holy Father looked up at him with love and told him, "No, you should be down here [prostrate] with me, praying for the people and for the Church."
John Paul, by prostrating his body in prayer, was prostrating his spirit as well. He knew that many of the problems in the world are the result of pride, self-will, and ego. The Scriptures tell us how all great men and women possessed such humility. In the Book of Numbers, we read, "Moses himself was by far the meekest man on the face of the earth" (12:3). Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart" (Mt 11:29).
In today's first reading, we hear of another great man who humbles himself in the presence of the Lord. Abram lies prostrate before the Lord, and we hear that "God continued to speak to him" (Gen 17:3). God promises Abram that He will be a father to him and will make him the father of a great nation. The Lord also shows His favor by changing his name to Abraham.
If there is a secret to the mystery of the kingdom of God and true happiness, it is humble prayer before the Lord. Prostrating ourselves in body and spirit before the tabernacle particularly delights God. Then we, too, like John Paul II, will be refreshed and renewed by the Lord's abiding Presence, so we may continue to be of service to the divine plan. God will then speak to us and reveal His purposes in ways that will delight us.
O Lord, grant me a humble heart. May I eagerly prostrate myself before Your Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Reveal Yourself to me. Amen.
When Abram prostrated himself, God continued to speak to him. Gen 17:3
On one occasion, as Pope John Paul II was lying prostrate in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, he was interrupted by a well-intentioned archbishop. "Holy Father" the prelate advised, "you should be sitting in the chair where you would be more comfortable, not lying on the floor." The Holy Father looked up at him with love and told him, "No, you should be down here [prostrate] with me, praying for the people and for the Church."
John Paul, by prostrating his body in prayer, was prostrating his spirit as well. He knew that many of the problems in the world are the result of pride, self-will, and ego. The Scriptures tell us how all great men and women possessed such humility. In the Book of Numbers, we read, "Moses himself was by far the meekest man on the face of the earth" (12:3). Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart" (Mt 11:29).
In today's first reading, we hear of another great man who humbles himself in the presence of the Lord. Abram lies prostrate before the Lord, and we hear that "God continued to speak to him" (Gen 17:3). God promises Abram that He will be a father to him and will make him the father of a great nation. The Lord also shows His favor by changing his name to Abraham.
If there is a secret to the mystery of the kingdom of God and true happiness, it is humble prayer before the Lord. Prostrating ourselves in body and spirit before the tabernacle particularly delights God. Then we, too, like John Paul II, will be refreshed and renewed by the Lord's abiding Presence, so we may continue to be of service to the divine plan. God will then speak to us and reveal His purposes in ways that will delight us.
O Lord, grant me a humble heart. May I eagerly prostrate myself before Your Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Reveal Yourself to me. Amen.
mmwj
